With Wilson Isidor sidelined due to a thigh injury, Eliezer Mayenda was given a starting role against La Liga side Real Betis. However, the young forward found it difficult to influence the game, receiving little service during a subdued 90 minutes at the Stadium of Light.
In the lead-up to the match, reports from Germany claimed Sunderland were eyeing an ambitious move for RB Leipzig striker Lois Openda, potentially adding to an already impressive summer transfer window.
Head coach Regis Le Bris acknowledged that the squad could still see additions before the transfer deadline, but firmly denied any pursuit of the Belgian international.
When questioned about a potential move for Openda, Le Bris responded:
“I think that’s fake news — it’s something that might circulate on social media. There’s nothing happening at the moment.”
He added:
“We’re always looking to improve the team with quality additions, but first and foremost, we need to have faith in the players we already have. If the opportunity arises to bring someone in who can enhance the squad, we’ll consider it.”
The first real chance of the game fell to Betis, as defender Edgar González’s header beat Sunderland debutant Robin Roefs but bounced off the near post. A chaotic scramble followed, with Trai Hume making a crucial goal-line clearance amid ignored handball appeals from the visitors.
There were some bright spots for Sunderland, with wide men Simon Adingra and Chelmsdine Talbi offering attacking threat. However, they were unable to create clear-cut chances for Mayenda or seriously test Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles.
A goalless first half ended with some encouraging sequences of play, with former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka dictating tempo in midfield and offering promise for the Black Cats.
Le Bris stuck with his original XI after the break but made changes just past the hour mark, bringing on Enzo Le Fée and Niall Huggins for Habib Diarra and Reinildo.
However, it was Real Betis who broke the deadlock. With around 15 minutes to play, Aitor Ruibal headed home from a quick corner on the left, beating Roefs and denying him a clean sheet on his first appearance.
Sunderland’s response was limited, with their best moment coming via a dangerous cross from Harrison Jones that narrowly missed Mayenda in the area. In the end, the Black Cats slipped to a narrow home defeat against a Betis side preparing for Europa League competition.
Attention now turns to Sunderland’s final pre-season tests — a trip to Augsburg next Saturday, followed by a home clash with Rayo Vallecano just over 24 hours later.
Looking ahead to the Premier League opener against West Ham United, Le Bris said:
“We still need to improve a lot because the standard will be high. But if we reflect on the preseason as a whole, we’ve already made good progress. I hope we can take another two or three steps before the real challenge begins.”
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